On this day, September 20th, in 1973, one of the greatest voices in the music industry was silenced due to a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Jim Croce had just completed a concert at NSU's Prather Coliseum and was flying to Sherman, Texas, for his next concert. The plane crashed an hour after the end of the concert.

Jim Croce, the singer-songwriter whose life was cut short in a plane crash following a concert at Northwestern State University's Prather Coliseum, will be recognized on the 40th anniversary of his death. A commemoration will take place in Natchitoches with performances of Croce's music and the unveiling of a new plaque that memorializes Croce, his bandmate Maury Muehleisen and four others who died Sept. 20, 1973. The Croce tribute coincides with the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, set for Sept. 20-21, 2013 on the downtown riverbank. Sept. 20 will be ‘Jim Croce Day’ in Natchitoches as he and Muehleisen will be recognized by the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

The City of Natchitoches is seeking nominations for 2013 Natchitoches Treasures. The Natchitoches Treasures are an elite group of Natchitoches residents of retirement age who have made a lasting contribution to the community through their generosity, service, volunteerism and spirit.